Lost owner access, or the profile was taken over
Google has a set process for getting a profile back from another owner. It is slow, but it works best when you follow it exactly and secure your own account first.
Not sure which rule you broke?
Start with the free suspension risk checker: answer 13 quick questions and get a risk score plus the Google rule and fix guide behind each point. Nothing is sent to us.
Or let a person do it: ProfileRescue checks your listing and website against each guideline, ranks the likely causes for your case and writes the appeal text plus an evidence checklist, in English and Spanish, as a PDF for €29 (launch price, €49 from 1 Dec 2026). We cannot reinstate profiles or remove reviews, and we say so plainly.
Why owners lose access
Google lists reasons ownership "may be revoked" (Business eligibility and ownership guidelines):
- You haven't signed in to your account recently.
- The business confirmed you or your agency is no longer authorised.
- Google couldn't reach you by email after several attempts.
- You or another owner deleted the profile.
- The profile was created through another Google product whose account was suspended.
Google also says that when it determines a different merchant is the authorised owner, other unauthorised users lose access, and that inactive owners can lose access after warnings (Business Profile policies).
If someone else owns it now
- Go to business.google.com/add, enter your business name and address, and choose your business.
- When you see "Someone else may manage this Business Profile", select Request access and fill in the form (Request ownership of a Business Profile).
- The current owner is emailed and "has 3 days to respond".
- If they deny it, Google says you can try to appeal the decision. If they don't respond after 3 days, you "may have the option to claim the profile" from the link in your confirmation email. Google says that option "isn't always available".
For a service-area business with no shop or office, Google says to contact support and choose "Transfer ownership of listing".
If a former agency or employee holds it
Google's rules for authorised representatives say they must "always transfer Business Profile ownership to the business owner immediately upon request" (Business eligibility and ownership guidelines). Ask in writing first and point them to Google's transfer ownership steps. If they refuse, use the request-ownership process above.
If you think it was hijacked
- Secure your Google Account first with Google's hacked account steps.
- If you still have owner access, open People and access and remove anyone you don't recognise. Only owners can remove other owners and managers (Manage your Business Profile owners & managers).
- Check the name, address, phone and website for changes and put them back.
- Know the 7-day rule: new owners and managers have to wait 7 days before they can remove other owners, delete the profile or transfer primary ownership.
Never share your verification code. Google says it "will never ask for your verification code" (verification help).
FAQ
How long does the current owner have to respond?
Google says the current owner is notified by email and has 3 days to respond to your ownership request.
What if the owner ignores my request?
After 3 days you may be able to claim the profile from the link in your confirmation email, but Google says this option isn't always available.
My old marketing agency owns my profile. Do they have to give it back?
Google's rules say authorised representatives must transfer ownership to the business owner immediately on request.
Sources
- Google, Request ownership of a Business Profile
- Google, Business eligibility and ownership guidelines
- Google, Business Profile restrictions and policies (account, eligibility, ownership, posting)
- Google, Manage your Business Profile owners & managers
- Google, Transfer primary ownership of a Business Profile
- Google, Secure a hacked or compromised Google Account
- Google, Verify your business on Google
Read on 24 Oct 2026. Google changes these pages; if something here disagrees with Google's current text, Google wins. Revunda is not affiliated with Google.
All ProfileRescue fix guides
Free tool: Free risk checker
Suspended: by cause: Suspended: the full guide · Keywords in the name · Address problems · Virtual office · Service-area business · Duplicate listings · Suspended after an edit · What to write in the appeal
Other profile problems: Appeal rejected · Reviews disappeared · Video verification failed · Not showing on Maps · Disabled vs suspended · Verification pending · Not eligible · Fake reviews warning · Reviews restricted · Google changed my info · Edit not approved · Account restricted · Moved location
Suspended: by trade: Locksmith · Garage door company · Plumber · HVAC company · Electrician · Moving company · Water damage restoration company · Pest control company · Roofing company · Law firm or lawyer